Sightseeing Boston- the frugal way.

March 28, 2012

I love travelling. I am pretty sure I have mentioned that before. And since I am on a travel budget, I try to drive everywhere. One of my favorite places to visit is Boston. What can I say, I like their sports teams. Boston, Massachusetts is one city of a kind. It is one of the few places that offers arts, history, sports, spiritual nourishment, entertainment, learning facilities and much, much more. If you are on a budget, you won’t be disappointed as there are many cheap sightseeing places in Boston.

Getting your way around Boston is not a hair-raising experience; it has one of most organized public transport systems at very affordable prices in addition to efficient walks that will see you move round the city without much hustle. Moving around the city with children is not a bother; there are many activities that are specifically designed with children in the mind like the ever-popular red brick freedom trail.

Tips to keep the cost down

The following tips will helpful if you really want to keep the costs down in Boston:

Use the public transport system- this is the most affordable way to move round Boston, these way costs of renting a car, hiring a taxi, and parking costs are eliminated from your budget.

Walk- Walking is free. Walking is one of the best way of capturing intricate details of any new place.

Go to museums on free days- visit Boston museums websites, download a brochure and learn the best time to visit museums when you not be charged a dime

Get a Boston tourist City pass card- with this card, you will have a chance of sampling some of the best sightseeing sights at an affordable price. The Boston tourist city card will ensure that you have free one time access to one of the prime sightseeing sites in the city.

Cheap sightseeing places in Boston

As earlier mentioned, Boston is a city offering plenty of variety and no matter your personality and tastes, there will definitely be something to suit your taste. The following suggested sites are some of the best places to visit if you want cheap sightseeing places in the city of Boston. I personally love just walking by the harbour, but you may want some exciting places to visit.

The freedom trail- this is the best to visit if you want to understand the history of Boston, and indeed the United states. In this two and a half mile stretch, you get the chance of visiting some of revolutionary landmarks that defined the American history.

The Boston public garden- this nation is the oldest public garden in the United States having been invented in 1877. If you like skiing, it will interest you to know that the lake is opened for skiers during the winter season.

The Boston Harbor Islands- There are many aquatic activities that will ensure that you carry cherished memories home.

Museum of fine arts- you can get admission to this place free of charge if you have a City Pass. The museum of fine arts offers you the chance of sampling some of the best fine arts the world has to offer. The best time of visiting the museum is during the weekday’s afternoons when there are few people visiting the museum.

Visit the USS constitution- This ship was commissioned over 200 years ago. This ship symbolizes the reliance of the Americans revolutionary army during the American war of independence. Free guided tours are available in this ship day.

The Boston public library- The Boston public library holds the record of the first public library in the United States to lend books and have a children section. If you want to visit cheap sightseeing places in Boston, as you increase your level of knowledge, this is definitely the place to pitch a tent. Admission is free.

The Quincy market- this market is also known as the Faneuil Hall Marketplace. This indoor market has some of the most affordable deals in Boston. In addition, to the variety of stuff available here, it is also a wonderful place to sample some of the best Boston cuisines.

New England aquarium- for an affordable fee of just $8, the New England aquarium offer you the chance of seeing over seventy exhibits with species from all over the globe. Some other attraction located in this aquarium includes the Simons IMAX theatre. It is one of the places with the highest number of visitors in Boston with an average visitor numbers of 1.3 million people annually.

Paul Revere’s house- this is one on of the most iconic structures in the United States, this building is one of the pillars that define the American history.

Boston, and still remains one of the most dynamic places to visit, with plenty of cheap sightseeing places in Boston, you can enjoy the city that was the cradle of the American war of Independence.

I’ve never been, but I’d love to go! As a Canadian east coaster, it’d be great to explore a bit of that area in the US. I’m also eager to try a more advanced transit system (Toronto’s needs some serious work).

In terms of the subway, I definitely agree–make sure to buy an unlimited Charlie Card (you can get them for various amounts of time but the 7-day combo pass is actually the best deal).

Other great areas to check out are:
-The North End (go to Mike’s Pastries as early as possible to avoid the lines)
-The Harbor Islands (if you have time–take a ferry ride there)
-Newbury Street/Copley Square (best area for people-watching but I don’t agree with the prices of shopping there..haha!)
-The Sound End (for amazing food–note, this isn’t the same as Southie)
-Davis Square (eclectic mix of shops & restaurants–make sure to grab a pint at The Burren, a great Irish pub)
-Jamaica Pond & Arnold Arboretum (for great walking/nature–outside of the city a bit but accessible on the Green Line)
-And more!!

You’ve just inspired me to write a post about my city on my own blog…. 🙂

I have never been but i have always wanted to go. We went to Philadelphia about two years ag and I was amazed at all the free things there were to do and we really didn’t spend too much because I had done a lot of “research” before.

The Boston Museum of Science is a favorite in our family. The family membership is reasonable and includes a couple of hours of free parking in the museum garage every visit. The MOS also has a free admission day in July.

My son has loved watching & playing chess in Harvard Square. People set up games on the tables outside of Au Bon Pain.

MIT has a fun robotics museum with different virtual simulation games.

If you like dim sum, then Hei La Moon has excellent and very reasonably priced Chinese food. There is a parking garage above the restaurant and parking on the weekends is only $6 after they validate the ticket.

Although not inexpensive, we love the original pizzeria regina in the north end….lots of atmosphere and delicious pizza.